"I would like all of you to move forward cheerfully, amicably, and with hearts and minds in unison."

The following is a summary of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda’s guidance at the First NSA Training Meeting at Malibu on February 12.

Originally this trip was scheduled to include three South American countries — Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay — but the importance of the United States (in terms of worldwide kosen-rufu) made me decide to change my schedule and send a representative on my behalf to South America so that I can concentrate on the United States at this particular time. I hope to meet with various Latin American leaders, including General Director Roberto Saito of Brazil, who will be in Los Angeles for the Eleventh SGI General Meeting on February 17. 

When I left Japan, I was asked to convey my very best regards to all SGI-USA members on behalf of Soka Gakkai President Akiya and many other top leaders. I would like to take this opportunity to give you their best wishes. 

During my stay here I am scheduled to attend the Eleventh SGI General Meeting, the First All-America General Meeting, the Second SGI Pan-American Joint Conference, training sessions for the women’s division and the youth division and other events. 

Furthermore, I will have discussions with Dr Linus Pauling and Professor Norman Cousins, who are both my acquaintances. I am also scheduled to meet with Dr Armand Hammer. I hope you will lend me your support during my stay. 

The worldwide kosen-rufu movement was launched here in the United States thirty years ago. These thirty years have been the first phase. Now, I would like to designate this last decade, up to October 2, 2001, as the second stage in the worldwide kosen-rufu movement. The purpose of my current visit to your country is to see that this new phase gets off to a smooth start. 

All of you are together as like-minded seekers of the way from the infinite past. I hope you will advance further in harmony as wonderful companions who have a deep connection with each other, based on the Mystic Law. 

All members are equal in front of the Gohonzon. You are beautiful friends sharing the same faith. I would like all of you to move forward cheerfully, amicably, and with hearts and minds in unison. 

A true leader is someone who protects his members,praising them and being tolerant toward them. In contrast, leaders who exploit their positions in the organizations, rebuking people and acting in a high-handed manner, not only cause the Buddha’s children to suffer, but make causes for their own suffering in the future as well. 

If you allow that kind of leader to have control, then both parties — the leaders and the members — will end up in misery. This must be avoided at all costs. The world of faith exists for the purpose of attaining Buddhahood and true happiness in this life. 

It is important to have a sufficiently elevated life-condition so that you can calmly accept whatever happens in life, always striving to put problems into proper perspective and solving them with a positive attitude. Happiness blossoms forth from such a strong and all-encompassing life-condition. 

You can forge the path to a fulfilling and enjoyable life if you have the depth of faith to regard everything as a source for creating happiness and value. Conversely, if you see everything in a negative or pessimistic light, your life will be gradually but inevitably plunged into darkness. Buddhism teaches the subtle principle of ichinen (basic attitude of life) and, moreover, the power of faith. 

I would like SGI-USA to be a model for the rest of the world. I hope to make my next three weeks here worthwhile and satisfying. I intend to make an all-out effort, spending as much time as possible together with you during my stay.